The hand of a suspected thief (name withheld) was amputated by irate mob for trying to steal a plasma television from a football viewing centre in Uyo Metropolis, Akwa Ibom.

The suspect was nabbed while he was about to cart away with the television.

An eyewitness said that the suspect went to the viewing venue by 5am and was about removing the Plasma television when someone sighted him and raised an alarm.

The suspect took to his heels but was chased by the mob who eventually caught him when he was about to jump a gate. He was beaten black and blue, and got his hand amputated. He would have been lynched if not for the timely intervention of the police.

He was arrested and taken to police custody.